WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Bipolar depression is a mood disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. These imbalances cause extreme mood swings, and affect how a person feels and acts.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

• Depressed mood
• Significant loss of interest
• Oversleeping/ not getting enough rest
• Significant weight loss
• Significant weight gain
• Agitation
• Fatigue
• Poor concentration
• Difficulty making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

IS IT GENETIC?

Just because a family may have a history of bipolar, it does not mean someone in the family will inherit it. However, 80-90% of people with bipolar disorder have a family history of major depression or bipolar.

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK?

Generally, we as people like to assume that people with bipolar disorder will:

• Throw extreme fits over little things

• have a "crazy personality"

• be unable to control his or her's temper

• have anger spurts

• be very emotional

TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Pyscotherapy

• Medication

• Education on Bipolar Disorder

• Therapy

OTHER REALATED DISORDERS*****SCHIZOPHRENIA*BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

SOURCES